Womble, here is one taken with the Samyang and using pixel-shift on the K1 although it is a reduced file:

Thanks for the very comprehensive write-up. I use a Samyang TS 24mm tilt-shift lens with a K mount which is beautifully sharp, and the two functions can be rotated independently. For architectural photography I like to use pixel shift and for interiors often need to merge two or three exposures as well. The problems with perspective control software are that they stretch the pixels and as a result create distortions, and also require cropping so you can lose some of the image. I do use DXO Viewpoint on occasion, with which you can select part of an image to straighten without losing too much.

You can also use the shift function horizontally to produce an accurate panorama as you wind it across, and also to effectively move the camera sideways when you cannot physically do so.

Is LR4 a pre-subscription version? If you upgrade the new version will remove the old one so it would be a good idea to load the LR4 software onto a separate hard drive and move your photo files from your computer there as well, do this within Lightroom by drag and drop and it should retain your presets. I say should, but try a couple of files first.

The current version has some great new functions which means I don’t do regular processing in Photoshop, just keep that for when I need the layers.

A conker sprouting forth as a Horse Chestnut , not what I want near the house so I impaled it onto a black card and focus stacked it with 17 exposures using Helicon Focus. Well it is a bank holiday and the roads are heaving!

Purely for practical reasons I am afraid not, the anti-shake is good but not that good!

Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon today, here is a selection using the K1 + 70-200mm f2.8.

An early morning exploration just driving around looking for subjects nearby.

Whilst I appreciate most forms of art I find “art in the landscape” intrusive and offensive. The landscape is already under threat from wind and solar farms, pylons and phone masts so this kind of arrogant and self-indulgent installation is unwelcome and unnecessary. When we yearn for a walk in unspoiled countryside some prat (and tourist official) thinks this is what we need.

A beautiful set. I would be interested to hear more about “getting the lightweight stuff out of my system”.

My first DSLR in 2014 was going to be a basic Nikon until I tried it in a shop and came away with a Pentax K50, based entirely on how it felt. The K1 I tried at launch on the Ricoh stand at The Photography Show but ordered it only after trying the alternatives. My most recent purchase only happened after handling a couple of options in the local shop, which unfortunately doesn’t stock Pentax any more. I can understand ordering a camera blind online if it is an upgrade or you are familiar with the brand but not based just on paper specs and reviews, it is really worthwhile to find one in stock somewhere and make that long journey just to satisfy yourself it is what you want. Given that Ricoh wasn’t present at the last Photography Shows and this strategy of online only ordering becoming a reality, compounded by the fact that Ricoh has no plans to introduce a new FF body any time soon, then sadly my K1 is likely to be the last Pentax I own.